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The start of the second century of Japanese-Finnish friendship was celebrated today at Tokyo Opera City in a wonderful concert of grand pianist Izumi Tateno together with Finnish chamber orchestra La Tempesta conducted by @EeroLehtimaki and led by @JanneYukiTateno! #JPNFIN100

Today at #tokyo Opera City Concert Hall with La Tempesta Chamber Orchestra and #izumitateno as the soloist – #concert at 2PM with #sibelius, #rautavaara, #phnordgren & Koichiro Mitsunaga on the programme, celebrating the centenary of diplomatic relations between 🇯🇵&🇫🇮. #JPNFIN100

What kind of #tie would the highest ranking Finnish Foreign Ministry official wear for the official reception of the 100th anniversary of Japan-Finland diplomatic relations? Permanent State Secretary Matti Anttonen’s perfect choice did not go unnoticed. #Moomin #JPNFIN100

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AMBASSADOR'S MESSAGE

100 Years of Friendship

Year 2019 will mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Finland. It is a significant and historical milestone for our leaders and diplomats.

Most importantly, however, it is a celebration for the friendly and booming relations between the Japanese and Finnish people. It is the individuals from many walks of life – such as artists, researchers, tourists, businessmen and women – who are tying up the knots in a vast network of connections that make up our day-to-day relations.

As we celebrate the history of a century of Finnish-Japanese friendship, this is a good moment to observe what we have achieved together. From two geographically and culturally fairly distant countries we have grown to become strategic partners in international affairs, in research and in innovation, and developed close relations in business and arts as well.

Independence of Finland

Establishment of diplomatic relations

In May, Japan officially recognizes Finland. As a result, the two countries establish diplomatic relations. On September 6, Professor G.J. Ramstedt, renowned expert on Asia, appointed as the first Finnish Envoy to Japan, from 1920 to 1929, during which he was a frequent guest lecturer at Tokyo University, where he influenced many Japanese researchers. He acquired command of the Japanese language quickly.

Airing of “the Moomins”

Finnish companies enter the Japanese market

The first Finnish companies established in Japan were Enso-Gutzeit (now Stora Enso) and Nippon Finnpap (now UPM-Kymmene) . Later in the 80s and 90s, major Finnish companies for machinery and telecommunications advance to Japan.

Establishment of the Finnish-Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Helsinki

The Embassy of Finland moved to the present location from Roppongi

The Embassy of Finland moved to the present location from Roppongi. The building was constructed in 1983. An old dignified Japanese oak (Japanese: shii no ki ) decorates the inner court of the Embassy building.

Direct Finnair flights between Japan and Finland start to operate

After the signing of the aviation agreement in 1981 and the start of airline services between the countries, Finland became the geographically closest European country to Japan. Currently there are 38 weekly flights between the countries, Japan Airlines included.

Photo by Finnair.

His Royal Highness the Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko official visit to Finland

photo by The Finnish Japanese Society.

State visit to Japan by President Koivisto and his wife

photo by The Finnish Japanese Society

Establishment of Nokia Mobile Phones Japan K.K.

The company entered into the mobile phone business in Japan that year, and it has changed its core business from mobile phones to network infrastructure since 2010. Nokia has been providing mobile network equipment to all the 3 major mobile operators in Japan. Nokia is the largest Finnish company in Japan, with 800 employees currently working in the country.

Finnish Institute in Japan established in Tokyo

The Finnish Institute in Japan connects Finnish and Japanese professionals and organisations in the fields of science, education and culture. We enable dialogue and develop co-operation between actors in culture, research, higher education, technology and business.

Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan Established

The Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan was established in 1999 and is approved by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Japan. The main purpose of FCCJ is to promote trade and economic exchange between Japan and Finland. Photo: Rauno Sirola (left), first FCCJ President and Ambassador Pekka Lintu

TM Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visit Finland

photo by The office of the President of the Republic.

President Halonen visits Japan

photo by The office of the President of the Republic.

Sendai Finland Wellbeing Center opens

Sendai Finland well being center is a Sendai based non-profit organization developing businesses between Finland and Japan. It creates a health and welfare industry cluster by supporting manufacturers and service providers to develop products and services in the nursing care field. Now Sendai and Oulu city has collaboration in the fields of ICT, nanotechnology, biotechnology etc. based on the Co-incubation Agreement for Industry Promotion. Currently, various local governments such as Kanagawa prefecture and Yamaguchi city have collaboration with Finnish local industry-government-academia.

Japanese film “Kamome Shokudo” (Ruokala Lokki) released

Number of Japanese tourists visiting Finland has increased dramatically after the movie.

Prime minister Koizumi visits Finland

The 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Finland, commemorative events were held, such as a Noh performance, Urasenke tea ceremony with the visit of the head of the school Sen Shoojitsu XV, Hokkaido traditional arts, showcase of the Kudo martial arts, etc.

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado visits Finland

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado visited Finland, invited by President Halonen. Both were patrons of the Finnish Institute in the Japan Science Program (2007-2011).

Finland expresses its sympathies to Japan suffering from the Tohoku earthquake.

President Halonen, Prime Minister Kiviniemi and Foreign Minister Stubb all express their condolences, along with donations and disaster relief support through the EU.

President Niinistö and his wife visit Japan

Niinistö meets Prime Minister Abe and issue a joint statement on the Strategic Partnership between Finland and Japan. Abe visits Finland the following year.

APPLY TO USE THE LOGO / NOMINAL EVENT SUPPORT

Projects and events related to the diplomatic relations anniversary, taking place in Japan, are invited to use the official logo of the anniversary year administered by the Embassy of Finland in Tokyo.

To obtain the right to use the anniversary logo in relation to your event or project, please fill in the logo application web form.

Any organization or body planning a project or event with a definite connection to Finland in Japan can seek the Nominal Support of the Embassy of Finland in Tokyo.

All projects and events approved to use the anniversary logo or receive nominal support are also invited to communicate about their projects and events though the official Japan-Finland
Diplomatic Anniversary website

ANNIVERSARY PARTNERS

Twitter

The start of the second century of Japanese-Finnish friendship was celebrated today at Tokyo Opera City in a wonderful concert of grand pianist Izumi Tateno together with Finnish chamber orchestra La Tempesta conducted by @EeroLehtimaki and led by @JanneYukiTateno! #JPNFIN100

Today at #tokyo Opera City Concert Hall with La Tempesta Chamber Orchestra and #izumitateno as the soloist – #concert at 2PM with #sibelius, #rautavaara, #phnordgren & Koichiro Mitsunaga on the programme, celebrating the centenary of diplomatic relations between 🇯🇵&🇫🇮. #JPNFIN100

What kind of #tie would the highest ranking Finnish Foreign Ministry official wear for the official reception of the 100th anniversary of Japan-Finland diplomatic relations? Permanent State Secretary Matti Anttonen’s perfect choice did not go unnoticed. #Moomin #JPNFIN100

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